The Young Explorer eBook

“I hear that he’s a swindler,” said
Cameron. “I was a fool to fall into his
snare. Keep your money and you’ll be better
off.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Fifteen minutes afterward Mr. Fitch left his office,
and when Mr. Cameron came back, the door was locked.
He found his son waiting in the entry.

“Did you collect any money in Brooklyn?”
asked his father.

“No; I guess Mr. Fitch gave me the wrong number.
There was no such man living at the house he sent
me to.”

“We’ve been fooled!” said the father
bitterly. “Come home, James. I doubt
we’ve seen the last of our money. If I ever
set eyes on that man Pitch again I’ll give him
in charge for swindling.”

The senior partner of Pitch & Ferguson was at that
moment on his way to Philadelphia with the remains
of the fifty dollars in his pocket. But for Ben’s
caution he would have had another fifty dollars in
his possession.

CHAPTER VII.

Ben’sdinner-guest.

Ben slowly retraced his steps to where he had left
his friend, Tom Cooper.

“Well,” said the bootblack, “did
you see Fitch and Ferguson?”

“Yes,” answered Ben soberly; “that
is, I saw one of them.”

“Did you take the place?”

“No; I found he was too anxious for my fifty
dollars, though he offered after a while to take me
for thirty.”

Ben looked grave. The disappointment was a serious
one, and he felt now how much he had relied upon the
promises of Fitch & Ferguson. He had formed no
other plans, and it seemed likely that he must return
to the country to resume his old life. Yet that
seemed impracticable. There was no opening there
unless he accepted one of the two offers already made
him. But he was neither inclined to enter the
employ of Deacon Pitkin, nor to become the valet and
servant of Sam Sturgis. He was not quite sure
whether he would not prefer to become a bootblack,
like his new acquaintance.

“What are you goin’ to do?” asked
Tom.

“I wish I knew,” said Ben earnestly.
“What can I do?”

“You might go into my business,” suggested
Tom.

Ben shook his head.

“I don’t think I should like that.”

“No more would I if I’d got fifty dollars
in my pocket. If I was you I’d go into
business.”

“What kind of business?”

“Well,” said Tom reflectively, “you
might buy out an apple or a peanut-stand, and have
lots of money left.”